One Secret Out, One Hidden

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Creating, Recreating Spirit, brood over me. I rejoice that You can lift me, comfort me and move me forward with You.

Read Mark 14:53–65

^[53] They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. ^[54] Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. ^[55] The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. ^[56] Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. ^[57] Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ^[58] “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.'” ^[59] Yet even then their testimony did not agree. ^[60] Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ^[61] But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” ^[62] “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ^[63] The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ^[64] “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. ^[65] Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Meditate

“The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints…this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:26,27; ESV).

Think Further

Mark began his Gospel by announcing Jesus as “Son of God” (ESV). Up to

his hearing before the Sanhedrin, Jesus himself had not said so—that was left to the Father (and

the demons). Jesus told people not to identify him. It is only as he stood alone, undefended and

powerless, that he declared his true identity. The high priest asks a direct question and the reply

is “I am.” It was time for the cross—and so time to go public.

Jesus’ reply comes from Psalm 110:1 (ESV): “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool’”; and Daniel 7:13,14: “There before me was one like a

son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led

into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of

every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass

away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” This is Jesus’ true identity and this

was the basis of his authority. One secret remained, however. The king of the universe was on

the way to the cross. Only through hindsight do we know that it was through the cross that he

would establish his kingdom. His kingdom is unlike the regimes which tried him.

Christianity is not a private matter. Christ’s claims are public truths, to be lived and taught

publicly. Christian witness and activity in the public square have a distinctive understanding of

power, modeled on the self-sacrifice of its Lord, who would not use worldly power to defend

himself. We are called to confess Christ and to live his life of love in public, so that all people

may know him as he is.

Mark began his Gospel by announcing Jesus as “Son of God” (ESV). Up to his hearing before the Sanhedrin, Jesus himself had not said so—that was left to the Father (and the demons). Jesus told people not to identify him. It is only as he stood alone, undefended and powerless, that he declared his true identity. The high priest asks a direct question and the reply is “I am.” It was time for the cross—and so time to go public. Jesus’ reply comes from Psalm 110:1 (ESV): “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool’”; and Daniel 7:13,14: “There before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” This is Jesus’ true identity and this was the basis of his authority. One secret remained, however. The king of the universe was on the way to the cross. Only through hindsight do we know that it was through the cross that he would establish his kingdom. His kingdom is unlike the regimes which tried him. Christianity is not a private matter. Christ’s claims are public truths, to be lived and taught publicly. Christian witness and activity in the public square have a distinctive understanding of
power, modeled on the self-sacrifice of its Lord, who would not use worldly power to defend himself. We are called to confess Christ and to live his life of love in public, so that all people may know him as he is.

Apply

Ask God to give you the wisdom and courage of Jesus, who knew when and when not to speak, and spoke openly when the time was right.

Closing prayer

Father, I need special grace from you in my use of words. Often I speak when I should remain silent, and often I remain silent when I should speak. Fill me and use me, Lord.

Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.

Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.

Yesterday’s reading

View all readings

Tomorrow’s reading